Enjoyable work on Sundays

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Is it moral to participate in work in which the participant regards as enjoyable?
 
Why wouldn’t it be? Mind, I’m not really religious, but even when I was faithful and went to mass, I never recalled it being wrong to work on Sunday…mind, I had no formal catholic religious instruction…

The type of job I have-well, I have to work weekends…sickness doesn’t take a sabbath day, sad to say…and I enjoy my job.

So, if a Christian is working as a health care professional, and enjoys what they do…it’s a sin?
hum…
 
McatholicN said:
Is it moral to participate in work in which the participant regards as enjoyable?
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Catechism of the Catholic Church

PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER ONE YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
Article 3 THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
II. The Lord’s Day

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. the faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

The charity of truth seeks holy leisure - the necessity of charity accepts just work.124

2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

As long as it meets the above, then enjoying it would not be immoral.
 
JM3 said:
Catechism of the Catholic Church

PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER ONE YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
Article 3 THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
II. The Lord’s Day

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. the faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

The charity of truth seeks holy leisure - the necessity of charity accepts just work.124

2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

As long as it meets the above, then enjoying it would not be immoral.
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Should I take that as a yes or a no? I was thinking of doing some snow shoveling to prepare for a backyard snow city with some neighbor kids.
 
  • Edit -
    I was working on this, while you posted your previous reply, re: snow shovelling. Go for it - but just make sure you attend mass, and have reasonable time to clean yourself up, and attend without rushing 🙂
I won’t attempt a theological answer to this, but rather a suggestion just from the point of view of health and well being.

If your “enjoyable work” is the same thing you do all week, such as study, or physical labour, or working in a profession you enjoy, then even though you might find it hard to stop on Sunday it is very important that you do so, otherwise you may become obsessed with your work, and start to find it harder to pray or attend to the needs of others. Be very attentive to any warning signs that your work has become an obsession, such as missing mass, or neglecting an important family obligation.

Sometimes we do find ourselves in a situation where we must do some of our normal work on a Sunday. This is particularly true for students, and people who run their own business (they might have to do paperwork on Sunday). In that case, try to set a time when you stop your work, and enjoy leisure. This should be at least the time to attend mass, without rush, plus a few more hours.

On the other hand, if your “enjoyable work” is actually a break from your day to day “work” then there is more to be said for indulging it on Sundays. eg. an office worker might count a day in the garden as “leisure”.

If you make some attempt to avoid your day-to-day work on Sundays, then not only will you be healthier and happier, but you will also work better.
 
McatholicN said:
Is it moral to participate in work in which the participant regards as enjoyable?
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no, because Sunday is the day we give to God by works of piety, it is a day of serving God, focusing on the spiritual things,
we abstain from servile labor on Sunday to show that we regard the things of God and our souls as more important than the physical and worldly things, it is a day for increasing in sanctity,

Even if you enjoy the work, that’s really besides the point, we’re not commanded to enjoy Sunday, and it’s not meant as a day devoted to relaxing either,
although it’s good to enjoy the day, and it’s ok to relax as long as you don’t make that the major part of your day,

the works that we are commanded to do on Sunday are, as i said, works of piety, which are - praying, reading good catholic books, receiving the sacraments, occupying yourself with the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and works of charity, and if possible attending other catholic services like Adoration or some devotion, or going to some catholic religious instructions…and then most important of all is going to mass.

here is a good audio sermon that i think will help you out alot more - audiosancto.org/sermon/20070729-Keeping-Sunday-Holy.html

ok, hope this helps, take care.
 
McatholicN said:
Should I take that as a yes or a no? I was thinking of doing some snow shoveling to prepare for a backyard snow city with some neighbor kids.
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That’s not “work” - that’s “play.” And yes, you are certainly allowed to play on Sundays, once you’ve completed your Mass obligation. 🙂
 
McatholicN said:
Should I take that as a yes or a no? I was thinking of doing some snow shoveling to prepare for a backyard snow city with some neighbor kids.
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Ah, i’m sorry i missed your second post,
well, in that case i am really not sure, but because this regards the matter of mortal sin, it is your priests place to tell you if it’s ok or not, so you need to ask him.
 
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